As companies accelerate their H-1B planning for 2025, the ADP Research Institute’s latest report adds new urgency to the timeline. October’s surprise addition of 233,000 private sector jobs signals robust hiring demands that could complicate next year’s visa season. With USCIS processing times already climbing from 2.7 to 3.5 months, employers face mounting pressure to solidify their immigration strategies well before the FY2026 H-1B registration window opens.
“These numbers are a wake-up call for anyone involved in talent acquisition,” says Hendrik Pretorius, Director of Immigration Strategy and Partnerships at Boundless. “Hurricanes, strikes, supply chain issues – employers hired right through it all. This shows just how desperate the need for talent is and how vital it is for companies to have a robust international hiring strategy in place.”
Partner with Boundless to stay ahead of policy changes and ensure your talent strategy remains resilient. Book a demo to learn more.
Where the Jobs Are
Healthcare
While urban medical centers are staffing up, rural hospitals face critical staffing shortages. October’s healthcare hiring surge (+53,000) masks this growing divide, highlighting the urgent need for targeted recruitment strategies in underserved areas.
Technology
Professional services added 31,000 jobs in October, concentrated in tech hubs like Seattle and Boston. However, beneath the surface, hiring managers struggle to find specialized skills in
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cybersecurity
- Data Science
Construction
Despite hurricane warnings impacting the Southeast, the construction sector added 37,000 jobs in October. However, the industry faces a persistent challenge: a shortage of qualified tradespeople. “We are constantly struggling to find qualified plumbers, electricians, sheet metal workers, carpenters, and a host of other trades,” Jake Snyder, director of preconstruction at Hoar Construction, told Texas Architect.
Processing Times and Strategic Planning
For HR leaders tracking these trends, the clock is ticking. The FY2026 H-1B cap season opens in early 2025, the same time a new administration will take office.
Some key dates to watch:
- January 2025: New administration takes office
- March 2025: Expected H-1B registration window
- April 2025: Visa filing period for selected registrations
- October 2025: FY2026 H-1B employment start date
“We are telling our clients not to wait,” notes Pretorius. “Smart companies should document their needs now, strengthen their immigration programs, and prepare for multiple scenarios.”
Boundless can help you accelerate your international hiring process and navigate the complexities of immigration with ease. Schedule a demo today.
What Companies Are Doing Right Now
The October jobs surge comes as employers face a more immediate challenge: rising visa processing times. USCIS data shows H-1B processing times climbing to 3.5 months at most service centers, up from 2.7 months earlier this year. This increase is happening now, before any potential election impact.
Looking at past election cycles tells an important story about timing. The 2016 election (which fell in FY2017) saw processing times drop from 5.1 to 3.4 months. The 2020 election (in FY2021) showed a similar pattern, with times falling from 2.3 to 1.8 months during the transition.
“The data challenges conventional wisdom about election-year slowdowns,” says Pretorius. “What we’re seeing now – rising processing times in FY2024 – isn’t about the upcoming election. It’s about current demand.”
Industry trends reflect this urgency:
- Healthcare organizations are accelerating visa applications now rather than waiting for potential election impacts
- Tech companies are adapting their hiring timelines to account for current processing delays
- Universities are front-loading faculty and researcher visa applications, having experienced how visa delays can create an “unpredictable and anxiety-ridden” situation for international recruits.
These trends are reshaping H-1B planning for 2025, with employers across sectors accelerating their timelines.
Global Competition for Talent Intensifies
While U.S. employers push to hire, other countries are actively welcoming international talent in 2024:
- The UK introduced the Scale-up Visa targeting employees of high-growth businesses
- Canada unveiled its Tech Talent Strategy with streamlined processing for tech workers
- Germany launched its Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card), a points-based system allowing skilled workers to seek employment without a job offer
- Ireland expanded its Critical Skills Employment Permit to include more healthcare, engineering, and technology roles
Meanwhile, U.S. policy changes remain modest. While USCIS increased H-1B cap exemptions for U.S. advanced degree holders from 20,000 to 35,000 in FY2024, the U.S. must introduce new visa categories to match global competitors.
This growing gap between U.S. and global immigration innovation poses real challenges for employers. As other countries streamline processes and create new talent pathways, U.S. companies face a complex system with rising processing times and limited options for skilled workers.
Policy Scenarios to Consider
The election’s outcome could significantly reshape the immigration landscape:
Under Pro-Immigration Policies:
- Potential increase in visa availability
- Streamlined processing initiatives
- Expanded pathways for healthcare and STEM professionals
- Greater alignment with global competition for talent
Under Restrictive Policies:
- Possible increased scrutiny of applications
- Additional compliance requirements
- More complex processing timelines
- Limited visa availability
Key Takeaway:
For U.S. employers, the message is clear: act within current frameworks while they remain predictable. Waiting for systematic reform could mean watching top talent choose faster, more certain paths in competing markets.
Don’t let uncertainty hold you back. Schedule a demo today to build a robust and agile international talent strategy.
Smart Moves for Q1 2025
Forward-thinking HR leaders are taking specific steps:
Document Everything
- Track unfilled positions by skill set
- Record recruitment attempts and outcomes
- Build evidence files for future visa applications
Strengthen Immigration Infrastructure
- Strengthen Immigration Infrastructure
- Audit current visa processes
- Update compliance systems
- Train hiring managers on visa options
Build Comprehensive Immigration Programs
- Create clear policies for supporting employees through their immigration journey
- Establish multi-visa strategies to maintain hiring flexibility
- Build compliance frameworks that adapt to changing requirements
- Partner with providers who proactively support your global mobility needs
The Bottom Line
October’s hiring surge wasn’t just about numbers. It exposed a fundamental truth: U.S. employers need talent, regardless of economic headwinds or political uncertainty. Companies that act now to strengthen their international hiring capabilities and prioritize H-1B planning for 2025 won’t just weather potential changes – they’ll thrive through them.
Those that wait? They might find the talent they need has already gone elsewhere.